Since I Began Studying Web 2.0

Since I began studying Web 2.0 my use of the Web has changed. Previously I used email, myspace, instant messaging, and Google. Most of my Internet time was spent researching for class assignments. I now use more Web technologies to complete assignments and communicate with people.

The tools and technologies that I have learned about while studying Web 2.0 are all very useful. I write a lot of papers, so Google documents online is something I am going to use more often. Another thing I will use is Google Reader. This is great for keeping track of sites that are relevant to what I am studying and keeping up with current events.

I see that social networking, emailing, online picture storing, and bookmark sharing are just a few of the online technologies that are combining. Online apps make it easy to keep track of certain sites and follow different things. New browsers even allow you to search right within the browser. Web 2.0 has very useful tools and apps, and it is only making the Web easier to use.

Bing vs Google

I performed a search for the term peregrine falcon using Bing and Google. The first few results were similar. Google searched for results that mentioned my search as a keyword. Bing used keywords and relevant terms to find useful sites. I think that the results from Bing were better, because Google results were a lot of pictures, videos, and activities. Bing showed more informative results, sites that I would seek if I were writing about the peregrine falcon.

Online vs Download messenger

Instant messengers are used often as a way to connect with friends and family. Yahoo messenger is downloaded to your computer. There is now a small messenger that you can use online at the yahoo website. Meebo is an online messenger. It integrates all the messengers into one. It is a live communication platform. At this point, I would say that Meebo is more convenient. Meebo can be used in order to connect with contacts from a lot of different messengers and sites.

Maps on a Spreadsheet

google spreadsheet

Searching for Me

As part of my assignment for class, I searched for myself on a search engine. I found out that my name is very common. After narrowing the results down, I only found one link relevant to me. The only result for my name was a link to my blog. So, as I write this now, I know that if my name is searched, people will be shown my simple blog. Maybe someone will stumble across it, and become interested in learning more about Web 2.0!

How one site uses tags.

The Library Thing uses tags and clouds to give information about books. It helps to categorize and organize all the books available. The book I found was : 'Boom!: Voices of the Sixties Personal Reflections on the '60s and Today' by Tom Brokaw. Some of the top tags for ' Boom!: Voices of the Sixties Personal Reflections on the '60s and Today ' includes; 1960's, American History, Biography, politics, and sociology. I might add the tag interviews, people or key figures. I don't think I would change any of the tags given by the Library Thing. I wouldn't take any away either. They are all pretty much to the point and significant to the book.

Benefits of using a feed reader

Feed readers are used to show you new content from subscribed sites. They help manage the content you have or haven't read. They can display content from multiple feeds, and may be able to download new information directly to your device.

Two benefits of using a feed reader include; it allows you to always see new content available, it lets you choose which updated feeds you want to see.

Some drawbacks of feed readers include the fact that the display will not look the same as it does on the actual page. Sometimes, your feeds can pile up like spam mail, giving you too much to sort through.

2. Companies that use wikis

How One Company Is Using Wikis and Blogs to Unclog E-mail Boxes.

CORT Business Services has employees located all over the country. In order for all the different departments to collaborate, the company has been utilizing wikis and blogs. Wikis are flexible and can be used for the businesses specific needs. The article says the wikis and blogs are a lot easier than email. This way everyone can view the information without waiting.

How One Company Is Using Wikis and Blogs to Unclog E-mail Boxes.

Embedding a Video

This video by Michael Wesch presents a good introduction to Web 2.0. in the text editor.

Formatting Blog Posts

Today I am trying out some of the fancy formatting options in Blogger.

I can add hyperlinks, images, and videos to display on my blog. I can also edit posts in my blog.

Welcome to my blog!

I’m excited to be creating this blog for my Web 2.0 class. I am on the Web all the time and I am excited to learn more about how it works.